91 Dead, N117.12bn Property Saved In Lagos Fire Incidents

Lagos State government has disclosed that 91 persons were recovered dead, N117.12 billion worth of property saved, and N19.52 billion lost in 1,605 fire incidents in 2024 across the 57 councils of the state.

At the opening of a three-day Lagos International Fire Safety Conference, 2.0., organised by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in Lagos, it was revealed that Eti-Osa and Alimosho councils topped the first and second on the list, while Badagry and Ikorodu recorded the least with most frequent fire and related emergency outbreaks.

In his speech, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressed the need for stakeholders’ willpower and shared mission in protecting life and property to reduce fire outbreaks in the state.

According to the 2024 report by the Rescue Service, 91 victims were recovered dead, 450 victims were rescued, and N19.52 billion in estimated property was lost, while N117.12 billion was equally saved in fire outbreaks within the period under review.

Sanwo-Olu noted at the conference, which had the theme “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire, LIFSC 2.0,” that the conference had become a united front in the shared mission to protect lives, property, and the very heartbeat of the state’s economy from the devastating impact of fire.

He said, “In 2023, our Fire and Rescue Service bravely responded to over 2,500 distress calls. Each call was more than a statistic; lives were interrupted, businesses disrupted, and dreams endangered.

“The early part of 2024 signalled a troubling rise, but then came a turning point, the inaugural Lagos International Fire Safety Conference in June 2024. Since then, we have seen a noticeable drop in incidents.

“This proves something powerful: when we unite knowledge, technology, and community willpower, we save lives.

“The theme is about using two powerful tools: innovative technology and active community participation.

“Technology gives us special equipment and systems that help us stop fires before they get out of hand.

“We are also using real-time information so our firefighters know exactly where to go and what to do when a call comes in. These tools help us save time, and when fighting fire, every second counts.

Earlier, the Director of the Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, expressed the service’s commitment to safeguarding residents’ lives and properties.

She said, “Fire rescue and related emergency calls recorded 1,952 total calls and 578 false calls.

“Fire prevention recorded: 7,870 facilities inspected; 7,039 fire certificates issued to companies, hotels and restaurants, filling stations, schools/vocational, departments/stores, fire dealers and bakeries, with 831 recording non-compliance to fire safety.”